US network Showtime hasn't yet supplied a reason for canning Tara, though it probably has something to do with dwindling ratings for the show's third season, which is currently playing in the States (and which is yet to premiere in Australia).

Created by Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody, Tara starred Toni as a suburban wife suffering from multiple personality disorder — meaning she'd randomly transition into an entirely different character. Toni won an Emmy in 2009 for her (very fine) work in the series.

"It was an incredible experience — I couldn't have asked for a more amazing introduction into the world of television, and I thought we did some fantastic work," Cody said of the show. "Toni's performance is forever. I feel like it's the end of a family, but at least we can all be proud of what we did."

It's not such a great time to be an Australian actress working on American TV: Rachel Griffiths' drama Brothers & Sisters has also been axed.